Allergen applicator and skin tester



Nov. 10, 1942. c, Q MORSE 2,301,567

ALLERGEN APPLICATORAND SKIN TESTER Filed Dec. 4, 1940 Li-1 5E}; ,6 Lil-.- $223 Q {6} Q /4- 2 Z4 Ezg e Char/es 0. Manse -2 INVENTOR. 3 l6 /2 36 E BY r S g Wm UH n L ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALLERGEN APPLICATOR AND SKIN TESTER Charles 0. Morse, Redwood City, Calif.

Application December 4, 1940, Serial No. 368,434

' 2 Claims. (01.128-2) This invention relates to a skin tester method and apparatus, and particularly to allergen applicator method and apparatus.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby a skin tester substance can be applied to the human body by electrophoresis. The object of applyingskin testers is usually to determine the skin reactions of patients suflering from allergic conditions with respect to certain substance.

Another object of this invention is to provide .a method and apparatus whereby a patient can be simultaneously and speedily tested for reaction to a plurality of different allergenic substances and wherein such substances are carried into the skin by electrophoresis at prearranged spaced areas of the skin.

An object of my invention is to provide a means of selecting and applying at will any one, or a number of allergenic extracts to the skin of the patient.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means of substituting at will, one or a number of said allergenic extracts, and to providean applicator that will readily receive one or a number of such allergenic extracts individually or plurally so that it'can be conveniently applied to the This so-called scratch test method is a very slow and painful operation, requiring in some cases a great length of time to determine the reaction to the various allergens.

My method and apparatus eliminates the necessity of the scratch test, and one or more kinds of allergenic extracts may be introduced into the skin at the same time by electrophoresis, thus a large number of allergenic extracts may be intrcduced into the skin simultaneously, and under exactly parallel conditions, and the reaction can be speedily observed and determined as to the different extracts.

To accomplish this I provide in a very compact unit, all the electrical instruments, applicators, controls and batteries with which to determine skin reactions in patients, and to fully describe the invention I refer to the drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is an electrical wiring diagram of my skin tester.

Fig. 2 isa layout showing the panel arrangement and the controls.

Fig. 3 is a section of the instrument through line 2-2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial top view of the applicator pad.

Fig. 5 is a section of the applicator pad and extract receptacles of the applicator as seen on line 55 of Fig, 4.

Many persons sufier from allergic conditions due to sensitivity to certain substance. Frequently it is tedious and diflicult to determine just which allergenic substance is the cause of the suffering. In my method a test can be speedily performed.

Broadly the steps of the method include the holding of the allergenic substance, suchas pollen extract, near the skin, and the carrying of the substance into the skin by electrophoresis. Particularly the steps of the method, asherein illustrated, include the holding of the allergenic substance between an electrode, preferably an anode, and the skin so that the electric current carries particles of the allergenic substance into a preselected area of the skin.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention herein the humanbody and the allergenic substance are placed in series between a pair of electrodes so that th flow of current carries particles of the substance into a selected area of the body orskin. In further detail the method includes the steps of holding a plurality of different allergenic substances in a predetermined pattern spaced over a selected area of the skin of the body so that each substance acts upon a different point of the skin, and then simultaneously introducing the allergenic substances of the pattern into the skin by electrophoretic action. The allergenic substances, such as pollen extracts, are held in suspension respectively in separate paths of electric current which carry them simultaneously but separately into the skin. The electrophoretic action is accomplished by holding the allergenic substance between an anode and the skin and by holding a cathode to the body on the side substantially opposite to the tested area so that the electricity flows through the body. This testing afiords identical comparative tests with a variety of allergens with almost immediately observable result. The location of the observed reaction on the skin automatically indicates the respective allergenic substance by the relative location of the point of reaction in the pattern in which the allergenic substances were arranged and held on the skin.

.nection with suitable jacks |9.

In my apparatus I make use of a holder pad 6 for holding the testing substances, and a flexible pad or plate 1 to form an electrode, which are adapted to be applied to the body in such manner that the electric current between the pad 6 and the plate I is shunted through the patients body. Electricity is supplied here by a battery 8, the negative terminal of which is connected to the holder pad 6. The positive terminal of the battery 8 is connected to the plate 1.

The holder pad has a plurality of conductor wires 9 imbedded-therein connected to the battery 8. Between the negative terminal of the battery'8 and the wires 9 of the pad 6 are connected in series a milliammeter l2, and variable resistors l3 and M, which control the amount of current flowing through the circuit when the; circuit between the pads 6 and the plates 1 is shunted by the patients body. One of the resistors is capable of fine Vernier adjustment. A switch H in series withthe resistors |3 and M is for turningthe current on and off. A suitable electric cord extends from the conduits 9 of .the holder pad. A plug l8 on the free end of the cord N forms a separable electrical con- Thus when the cord I1 is plugged into the circuit the electric current flows from the negative terminal of the battery 9 through the milliameter l2, the coarse and the fine resistors l3 and I4, through the switch It, to the cord H andto the conduits 9 in the holder pad 6.

The plate 7 also has a flexible cord 2| thereon adapted to be plugged in suitable jacks 22 which latter are connected to the positive terminal of the battery 8. A fixed or stationary resistor 23 is interconnected between the jacks 22 and the battery 8 so as to limit the amount of cur- .rent flowing through the circuit to the capacity I of the milliameter 2 should the circuit be accidently shunted between the plate I and the pad 6 by a metal conductor or the like. When the holder pad 6 is applied to one part of the body and the plate 1 is placed on another part of 1- in the path of the current flowing from the holder pad 6 to the plate I so as to be carried into the skin by the electric current. For this purpose a holder cup ,24 is provided for each allergenic substance. -Thiscup 24 is made of non-conductor material. such as cotton, is placed into the cup 24 and contains the allergenic substance to be tested. For instance extracts of pollen or the like allergens are thus held in' suspension in the cup 24. In the bottom of the cup 24 is an electrode 21 which extends outwardly from the bottom so as to form a stem of the cup 24. The mouth 28 of the cup 24 opposite the electrode 21 is preferably open so that the filling 26 canbe replaced therethrough. The filling 26 protrudes slightly to the outside ofthe cup 24 so as to cover the outside of the rim of the cup 24.[

The electrode 21 of the cup 24 is connected into the electric circuit by inserting it into a socket 29 in-the holder pad 6. The socket 29 is suitably connected to the wires or conduits 9 in the pad 6. Inasmuch as the wires 9 are connected to the negative terminal of the battery 8, these electrodes function as anodes. There area pluralityof s uch sockets 9 provided in A holder filling 26,

the holder pad 6. These sockets 29 are arranged in the herein illustration in parallel rows so as to accommodate any selected number of electrodes and holder cups for single or multiple testing. The pad 6 is made of flexible, nonconductive material such as sponge rubber. The sockets 29 are made of spaced conductive inserts imbedded in a face of the pad 6. The wires or conduits 9 in the pad 6 are formed into a grid so as to honeycomb over the other face of the pad 6. The sockets 29 are connected in parallel into the electric circuit. Thus when the electrodes 21 are in place the resulting device is a pad with a plurality of separate electrodes spaced from each other in a pattern determined by their relative location in the respective sockets 29 in the pad 6.

The bottom of the pad 6 is covered by an insulating flexible cover 3| so as to protect th wires 9. Another perforated cover 32 protects the holder face of the pad 6 so as to leave the openings of the sockets 29 open.

The pad 6 as well as the covers. 3| and 32 thereof are flexible and pliable to conform to the contour of the body so that when applied to the patients body they will allow the allergenic extracts in the holder cups 24 to evenly contact the skin of the patient. In addition a small ba of dry sand, or other suitable flexible weight, can be applied over the pad 6 to further insure even pressure on the pad and on the skin. The face covers 3| and32 of the pad 6 are preferably made of a material that may be washed after each use thereby to render the pad hygienic.

The entire apparatus can be conveniently accommodated in a case 33 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3. This case 33 has place for the battery 8. An instrument panel 34 is hingedly secured in place so as cover the bottom compartment of the case. On this panel 34 are mounted the milliammeter l2, the knobs of the variable resistors l3 and I4, the button of the switch l6, and the plug jacks |9 and 22, all suitably connected to the battery 8 in the manner heretofore described. The entire instrument panel 34 can be swung outwardly so as to allow access to the connections and for the replacement of batteries.

The case 33 has a hinged cover 36 which is pad 6 and the plate I therein. The pad 6 when not in use is placed in this cover 36 so that its flat bottom rests on the bottom of the cover 36. In this position the holder cups 24 face away from the bottom of the cover 36. The plate I is then laid over the cups 24 and the cords I? and 2| are folded over the plate 1. In thi manner all the movable parts of the apparatus are flatly folded and conveniently packed within the cover 36 of the case. A flap 31 is hingedly secured'in the cover 36 in such position as to cover and protect the plate I and the pad 6 in their superposed packed position, This flap 3? is secured in closed or covering position bya suitable friction catch 38 and is handled or pulled by a suitable knob 39. It will be noted that this case houses the instruments, the wires and the power unit and it is exceedingly compact so that it can be transported to the patients bedside if necesary.

'In operation the holder pad 6 and the plate I are removed from the cover 36 of the case 33.

The desired allergens suspended in separate fillers 26 are separately placed into respective holder cups 36 and the filled cups are plugged into see lected sockets of the holder pad so as to be arranged in a predetermined pattern. Then the holder pad and the plate are plugged into the circuit as heretofore described. The holder pad 6 is placed and pressed on a selected area of the skin of the patient, for instance on the back of the patient. The pressure is so exerted on the pad that it conforms to the contour of the body and all the allergen holders contact the skin with equal pressure. is placed on another suitable part of the body, preferably opposite to the holder pad and is held in contact with the body so that the circuit is shunted through the body of the patient with only a slight gap at the holder cups, switch is turned on and the current is permitted to flow through the body from the holder cups to the plate on separate paths issuing from each electrode in the holder pad 6, The allergens are thus separately carried into the skin at points spaced in a pattern predetermined by the selection of sockets in the pad. After the desired period of application the pad is removed from the skin. In the event any of the allergens reacts with the skin it causes the showing of the symptoms of sensitivity. The relative position of the area of the skin affected is then compared with the pattern of the relative location of the testing substances in the pad and the allergen which caused the reaction is thus identified. Then the remedy can be properly prescribed.

While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically illustrated, I wish it understood that various changes in form and proportion may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

I similarly wish it understood that the mate- Then the plate electrode Then the rials and the finish of the various parts employed may be such as the experience and the judgment of the manufacture may dictate or various uses demand.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a holder pad, a plurality of conductors imbedded in the pad so as to be insulated from the pad surface, means extended from the pad to connect said conductor to an electric circuit, a plurality of conductor sockets imbedded in the pad and connected to the respective conductors in the pad, insulator cups open at the mouth to contain allergens carriers, and an electrode stem extended from the bottom of each cup and removably fitting into the respective sockets in the pad so as to hold said cups and allergens in a pattern determined by the locations of the sockets.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a holder pad, a plurality of conductors imbedded in the pad so as to be insulated from the pad surface, means extended from the pad to connect said conductor to an electric circuit, a plurality of conductor sockets imbedded in the pad and connected to the respective conductors in the pad, insulator cups open at the mouth to contain allergens carriers, and an electrode stem extended from the bottom of each cup and removably fitting into the respective sockets in the pad so as to hold said cups and allergens in a pattern determined by the locations of the sockets, and insulator coverings on the opposite faces of the pad, said pad coverings being flexible so as to conform to the contour of the body surface treated.

CHARLES O. MORSE. 

